DOHA: AJS Intifadah, with jockey Tadgh O’Shea in the saddle, yesterday stormed to a convincing win in the feature race at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
O’Shea timed his burst perfectly to go past the winning post ahead of Sahaba Al Uraiq and Nada to seal the Pure Arabian Oaks Trial win.
“I am extremely happy with this result,” trainer M Al Yaqout said after AJS Intifadah’s win.
“I am proud of this run by Intifadah who was bred at Al Jeryan Stud.”
He added: “ It is really great to see the horse bred at our farm winning top level races like this one at QREC. Intifadah ran a great race and won very well.”
Jockey O’Shea said. “She is a very nice filly who made my job very easy. She started well and travelled very well and in the last 200 metres, she was getting a little bit low but that was not a bother.”
Also yesterday, jockey Harry Bentley wound up proceedings at QREC with a win against his name when he clinched the issue in Doha Thoroughbred Oaks Trial win.
City Zen – owned by Jassim Al Ghazali – clocked a time of 1:53.32.Makuma – ridden by W J Lee - finished second while Tea Leaf –who had J P Guillambe in the saddle – was third.
Also yesterday, in a runaway win, Mindza was powered home by Gerald Avranch in fine style, winning the Doha Pure Arabian Oaks Trial with a time of 1:33.18.
The 1400m race was won by Mindza ahead of Bahia Du Barthas – ridden by Bentley – and Radwah – who had R Mullen in the saddle.
Mindza grabbed the lead at the final bend and retained his position until the end to secure the top prize of QR85,500. In a rather easy win, Yasmeen galloped to victory in style in the Doha Local Thoroughbred Oaks Trial run giving jockey Gaetan Faucon plenty of delight.
Yasmeen raced past Hawra and Al Dabor to seal the win in 1:28.18.
Hawra was ridden by P Convertino while Al Dabor had Alberto Sanna in the saddle.
Jockey Convertino relied on a late surge to pocket the win in race four, taking the honours by outrunning Jumaira Tower and Upholland.
Convertino remained behind S Golam-ridden Jumaira Tower but his ride Firdous stepped up in the last 100 meters winning with a time of 2:03.87. Court Life produced a well-timed run to bag the honours in race three, finishing ahead of Hi Holy and Maxentius.
Ridden by Lee, court Life sailed past Hi Holy who had Avranch in the saddle. Bentley couldn’t time his run well on Maxentius and finished in third spot in the 1200m race.
Gary Carter rode Absher to victory in race 2, bagging the top prize of QR31,350. Absher just about nudged Haidara - ridden by Bentley.
Desar Al Naif kicked off the day’s proceedings by winning the Localbred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Ridden by Marvin Suerland, Desar Al Naif finished the 1200m race with a time of 1:22.19.
O’Shea guided AJS Madrid to second spot. Hareer Al Hana - ridden by Golam - finished third.
The next round of racing will be held on December 3 and 4. The riders will compete for feature race – Al Britha Cup.
THE PENINSULA
